Retail internationalization and retail failure: Issues from the case of Marks and Spencer

S. L. Burt, K. Mellahi, T. P. Jackson, L. Sparks

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

117 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Retail internationalization has attracted much attention in recent years as the scale and nature of the activity has changed. Most analysis of retail internationalization however is based on market entry and mainly successful businesses. Here, the internationalization strategy of Marks and Spencer over 30 years is examined. Its recent large-scale withdrawal from such activity is considered in the light of theories about internationalization and business failure. The complexity of market exit in retailing is emphasized. It is suggested that market exit and failure are important underresearched dimensions of retail internationalization. More detailed and careful work on market entry and withdrawal (failure?) is needed to adequately conceptualize the subject area.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)191-219
Number of pages29
JournalInternational Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Failure
  • Internationalization
  • Market Entry
  • Marks And Spencer
  • Retail
  • Withdrawal

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business and International Management
  • Economics and Econometrics
  • Marketing

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Retail internationalization and retail failure: Issues from the case of Marks and Spencer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this